Bombers blast Olmsted Falls / Traveling team scores 21-5 victory in league game

Doug HaidetPublished: July 7, 2006 12:00AM

By DOUG HAIDET
T-G Sports Writer
Watching the Ashland Bombers 12-under traveling baseball team put up 14 fourth-inning runs Thursday at Cahn Grove was simple.
Understanding why so many spikes hit the plate took a bit more thought.
The Bombers, who thumped visiting Olmsted Falls 21-5 in four innings, improved to 26-8 overall and now hold a 17-3 record in the Cuyahoga Valley Baseball Association, giving them a second-place spot in the three-division league.
For a team and idea that is focused on honing the skills of athletes specifically concentrating on the game of baseball nearly year-round, Wednesday was poetry in motion.
Theyre very smart ballplayers and they play the game within the game, said Ashland coach Mike Stricklin, a four-year traveling team coach. They take advantage of teams weaknesses.
Theyve learned what are bunting situations and what are hit-and-run situations, and weve been able to run different plays (defensively). The speed of the game is probably the No. 1 difference between in-house leagues and teams like this.
Whether it was the five first-inning stolen bases that led to four quick runs, the various perfectly executed sacrifice bunts that turned into singles, or the simple smash-mouth hitting of Nick Tyner (three singles, double, eight RBIs), Zach Bernhard (four hits, three RBIs, three runs) and Steven Mowry (double, single, three runs), among others, it was obvious the amount of time and effort Ashland puts into constantly learning each detail of the game.
What we care about is that theyre getting better as athletes, Stricklin said. Its a maturing process and they just do what it takes. The kids all want to be here and the parents all make a commitment. Theyve been practicing since October and they truly want to play baseball more than just recreationally.
Traveling to tournaments in other states and packing games into the most days possible comes with that dedication, and the Bombers look to have taken advantage of the opportunity to get the constant in-game experience needed for those who want their game to be at its highest level.
Thursday, Ashland had at least two hits in all four innings played and had five players score three runs. Hustle plays that included a near perfect defensive effort and almost 20 stolen bases on offense seemed to be something the squad has grown used to perfecting.
Theyre very good at playing small ball. This is the first year all of them have been together, so to come together that quick and do this well has really been impressive, Stricklin said. Our intentions are to hand the area high school coaches some very good baseball players, but the most important thing is that they have a good time. If theyre not enjoying it, it isnt worth it.
For players who put that much effort into the sport, scoring 21 runs in one game has to be enjoyable.
n Contact Doug Haidet, sports writer, at 419-281-0581, ext. 245, or dhaidet@times-gazette.com.
OLMSTED FALLS HITTERS: Alex Bevilacqua (1b), Alex Reasback (1b), Justin Winkel (1b), A.J. DePolo (1b), Ben Radeff (1b).
ASHLAND HITTERS: Stewart Dix (1b), Zach Bernhard (4-1b), Steven Mowry (2b, 1b), Robbie Striklin (1b), Gabe Bradshaw (1b), Nick Tyner (3-1b, 2b), Cooper Moretz (2-1b).
Olmsted 101 3 5 5 6
Ashland 412 (14) 21 15 1
WP Nick Tyner (so-4, bb-3).
LP A.J. DePolo (so-2, bb-3).